Technology 1: Ning.com ning_logo.jpg

[Image Source: http://www.washburn.edu/main/leadership/images/ning_logo.jpg]

  • Rationale:
    • Using Ning relates to the idea of increasing "wait time" after a question is asked presented on the NETC site. Ning is a cross between a social networking site like Facebook, a blog, and the old-fashioned message boards from the early days of the Internet. Posting class discussion questions on a Ning network made specifically for your class is one way to increase wait time and allow all students to participate in class discussions, even those who may be less likely to volunteer in a traditional class discussion.
  • Resources needed by school/Estimated Cost:
    • Before April 15, 2010, Ning was a free service with the option to pay for upgrades. On April 15, 2010, Ning's CEO Jason Rosenthal announced that the free service would cease and a different structure will be in place soon. The prices for the new options should be available May 4, 2010.



Technology 2: FreeMind
mind-mapping-software-freemind-and-mindmanager.png

[Image Source: http://www.codeweblog.com/upload/m/mind-mapping-software-freemind-and-mindmanager.png]
  • Rationale:
    • This piece of software is mind mapping software similar to the popular program Inspiration. Like the paper-and-pencil word maps or brainstorming clouds available for use as graphic organizers, FreeMind and similar software allows students to organize their thoughts in a visually appealing way. Because it can be edited more neatly and easily than the paper-and-pencil maps, especially by digital natives, it is very useful to students.
  • Resources needed by school/Estimated Cost:
    • Unlike Inspiration, FreeMind is free.




Technology 3: Windows Movie Maker
movie_maker_logo.jpg
[Image Source: http://gmcs.nbed.nb.ca/mste_bbt_site08/movie_maker_logo.jpg]


  • Rationale:
    • Using Microsoft PowerPoint, Audacity, and Windows Movie Maker in conjunction as we had the option to do in this class "uses multiple modes" as is recommended when implementing cues, questions, and advance organizers (NETC, 2005). Videos with audio, images, and text appeal to students with many different learning styles.
  • Resources needed by school/Estimated Cost:
    • If the school already has licenses for these Microsoft products, there is no additional cost to utilizing PowerPoint and Movie Maker. Audacity is also free. If a school needs to buy Microsoft licenses, the cost depends on the number of computers that need licenses.



Educational Challenge(s)/How One of Technologies Deals with Challenge(s):


DIFFERENTIATED INSTRUCTION

  • The Windows Movie Maker videos assist with the challenge of differentiated instruction. When videos meet the needs of many different learners (some visual, some auditory, some kinesthetic) by using many different modes, instruction is more likely to reach the learners in a positive way.


Resources:
NETC. (2005). Focus on effectiveness: researched-based strategies, cues, questions, and advance organizers. Retrieved April 25, 2010 from http://www.netc.org/focus/strategies/cues.php